Champions Cup: Bulls, Stormers, Lions kick off times

The opening round of the Champions Cup gets off to a flying start on Friday, with back-to-back defending champions Union Bordeaux Bègles launching the defence of their crown away to Gloucester Rugby.

On Saturday, among a host of fixtures, Stade Français Paris travel to South Africa to take on the Bulls, the Stormers host Bristol Bears, while La Rochelle welcome the Lions. 

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup, the Sharks – champions in 2024 – head to Lyon to face the 2022 winners.

Here are the Champions Cup round 1 fixtures for this coming weekend (kick off in SA time)

Friday, 16 October 2026

• Gloucester Rugby vs Union Bordeaux Bègles – 21:00

Saturday, 17 October 2026

• Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors – 14:00
• Bulls vs Stade Français – 14:00
• ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster Rugby – 16:15
• Stormers vs Bristol Bears – 16:15
• Connacht Rugby vs Saracens – 18:30
• La Rochelle vs Lions – 18:30
• Bath Rugby vs Montpellier Hérault Rugby – 21:00
• Munster Rugby vs Racing 92 – 21:00

Sunday, 18 October 2026

• Section Paloise vs Leicester Tigers – 14:00
• Stade Toulousain vs Exeter Chiefs – 16:15
• Northampton Saints vs Cardiff Rugby – 18:30

Bulls squad

Meanwhile, the Bulls have confirmed a 42-man squad featuring a formidable contingent of 14 Springboks ready to lead the charge in Europe.

One of the most fiercely contested areas is flyhalf, where World Cup winner Handre Pollard, Curwin Bosch, and prodigy Luan Giliomee all secure their places.

New signing Giliomee brings vital utility value as a dual-threat flyhalf and fullback, bolstering match-day 23 flexibility alongside specialist fullbacks Willie le Roux and Hakeem Kunene.

Up front, the squad features 10 specialist front-rowers to manage the gruelling physical demands of European competition.

Forwards: Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Francois Klopper, Hanro Liebenberg, Elrigh Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Khuta Mchunu, Jeandré Rudolph, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Mornay Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Alu Tshakweni, JF van Heerden, Akker van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Ruan Vermaak, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Hencus van Wyk.
Backs: Curwin Bosch, Sebastian de Klerk, Paul de Wet, Demetri Erasmus, Stedman Gans, Luan Giliomee, Stravino Jacobs, Keagan Johannes, Cheswill Jooste, Hakeem Kunene, Willie le Roux, Dylan Maart, Pieter van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Harold Vorster, Sango Xamlashe.